Bob Balfour, President of the Coronado Historical Association presented this sign for the time capsule.  There are over 730 signs that were placed where a Naval Aviator once lived (or now lives) as part of "Project Home Front".  To access the complete list with names and short bios, click here.

The Centennial of Naval Aviation, also often referred to as CONA, was a celebration of 100 Years of Naval Aviation that lasted through all of 2011.  Planning for the celebration started in 2009 and was originally to be an exhibit only.  It quickly became evident that more could and should happen and it did, in grand fashion, through the cooperation of many different entities and the efforts of a myriad of people.             

                                  Councilman Mike Woiwode offers a brief history of the CONA planning process.

Friday, April 27, 2012, the Coronado Historical Association hosted a free public ceremony and reception to dedicate a time capsule that will be filled with memorabilia from CONA.  Bob Balfour, President of the Coronado Historical Association, commenced the event with a welcome and explanation and then introduced Councilman Mike Woiwode who was the liaison between the city and CONA. 

Bob Balfour, President of the Coronado Historical Association and Councilwoman Barbara Denny, who was representing the Daughters of the American Revolution, listen to one of the presenters.

Ten different speakers took turns delivering brief comments and sharing the object(s) they were donating to the time capsule.  There are some one hundred and thirty plus items that will be included to help paint the picture of the CONA celebration for the Coronado population one hundred years from now.  The time capsule will be buried near the museum entrance at 1100 Orange Avenue in Coronado, California.

Time Capsule Ceremony attendees

The ceremony concluded with a reception complete with free Moo Time ice cream for all attendees. 

Rear Admiral Pat McGrath, Deputy Commander of US Third Fleet, summed it up perfectly, "This event is more than just the Navy.  These people are here to recognize how great a job the community did celebrating 100 years of Naval Aviation which started right here in Coronado."

A sampling of items to be included in the CONA time capsule. 

 Rita Sarich of Coronado Mainstreet displays one of the 25 banners that adorned Orange Avenue during the year 2011 during the Celebration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation.  One of the banners will be placed in the time capsule.

The time capsule that will hold some 130 items to commemorate the Centennial of Naval Aviation.  The time capsule will be buried near the entrance to the museum at 1100 Orange Avenue and won't be opened again until 2111.  What will people in Coronado think of us 100 years from now?

Kellee Hearther

Online Editorial Intern

eCoronado.com

If there is something you would love to read about, please contact me at calikellee@gmail.com